Neurological proficiencies for psychiatrists : a pilot survey

Faculty at the University of California at Los Angeles were surveyed regarding appropriate proficiencies for general and subspecialty trained psychiatrists with respect to a number of neurological problems. Survey responses were obtained from 40 psychiatrists and 7 neurologists, representing 69% and 70%, respectively, of those surveyed in each group. Five levels of proficiency were defined, ranging from making a screening diagnosis to instituting definitive treatment and having laboratory expertise. Psychiatrists' expectations ranged from screening to monitoring proficiencies for a wide range of higher cortical func tion neurological disorders. Higher expected proficiencies were noted for schizophreniform symptoms of epilepsy, acute extrapyramidal reactions, tardive dyskinesias, dementias, and depressive syndromes associated with brain damage.